HB 646

Abstract

Nursing home standards of care and staff requirements; regulations. Requires the State Board of Health to establishstaffing and care standards in nursing homes to require a minimumof direct care services to each resident per 24-hour period as follows:(i) a minimum of 2.8 direct care hours provided by a nurse aide perresident, per day; (ii) a minimum of 1.3 direct care hours providedby a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse per resident, perday; and (iii) a minimum of 0.75 hours out of total 4.1 required direct hours provided by a registered nurse per resident, per day.The bill requires nursing homes to provide quarterly staff trainingon first aid, medication administration, and compliance with nursinghome policies and procedures. Additionally, the bill removes languagerequiring that each hospital, nursing home, and certified nursingfacility establish protocols for patient visits from a rabbi, priest,minister, or clergy of any religious denomination or sect duringa declared public health emergency related to a communicable diseaseof public health threat.